Roger Revelle

Roger Revelle was a renowned American oceanographer and climatologist who made significant contributions to our understanding of the Earth's climate system. He is best known for his work on ocean acidification and the Keeling Curve, a graph that illustrates the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels over time, which was developed in collaboration with Charles David Keeling at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Revelle's research also focused on the thermohaline circulation and its impact on global climate patterns, and he worked closely with other prominent scientists, including Hans Suess and Harold Urey. His work laid the foundation for modern climate change research and informed the development of environmental policy initiatives, such as the United Nations Environment Programme and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

● Early Life and Education

Revelle was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up in a family that valued education and encouraged his interest in science and nature. He attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he studied geology and developed a passion for oceanography. After graduating from Pomona College, Revelle went on to earn his Ph.D. in oceanography from the University of California, Berkeley, where he worked under the supervision of George Davis Louderback and Andrew Cowper Lawson. During his time at University of California, Berkeley, Revelle also had the opportunity to work with other notable scientists, including Arthur Holmes and Reginald Daly.

● Career

Revelle began his career as a researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, where he worked alongside other prominent scientists, including Harald Sverdrup and Erik Gustaf Lindahl. He later became the director of the institution and played a key role in shaping its research agenda, which included studies on marine biology, physical oceanography, and geophysics. Revelle also held academic appointments at Harvard University and the University of California, San Diego, where he taught courses on oceanography and climatology and supervised the research of students, including Wallace Broecker and Ralph Keeling. In addition to his academic work, Revelle served as a consultant to the United States Navy and the National Science Foundation, and he was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.

● Research and Contributions

Revelle's research focused on the Earth's climate system and the role of the oceans in regulating global climate patterns. He was one of the first scientists to recognize the importance of ocean acidification and its potential impact on marine ecosystems, and he worked closely with other researchers, including Roger Randall Dougan Revelle and Gordon MacDonald, to study this phenomenon. Revelle also made significant contributions to our understanding of the thermohaline circulation and its role in shaping regional climate patterns, and he collaborated with scientists, such as Henry Stommel and Klaus Wyrtki, on research projects related to ocean currents and sea level rise. His work on the Keeling Curve helped to establish the importance of monitoring atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and informed the development of climate models, such as the GFDL CM2.1 and the NCAR CCSM3.

● Awards and Legacy

Revelle received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to oceanography and climatology, including the National Medal of Science and the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. He was also awarded honorary degrees from Pomona College, Harvard University, and the University of California, San Diego, and he was elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Geophysical Union. Revelle's legacy continues to be felt in the scientific community, and his work has inspired a new generation of researchers, including James Hansen and Katherine Hayhoe, who are working to advance our understanding of the Earth's climate system and to develop effective strategies for mitigating climate change.

● Personal Life

Revelle was married to Ellen Clark Revelle, and they had two children together, Mary Revelle and William Revelle. He was known for his love of sailing and mountaineering, and he was an avid naturalist who enjoyed exploring the outdoors and studying the natural world. Revelle was also a talented musician and enjoyed playing the piano and violin in his free time, and he was a member of the La Jolla Symphony and the San Diego Chamber Music Society. Throughout his life, Revelle maintained a strong commitment to public service and environmental stewardship, and he worked tirelessly to promote a better understanding of the Earth's climate system and the importance of protecting the natural environment for future generations, as reflected in the work of organizations such as the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund.